The Suzuki Bolan, also known in Pakistan as the "Carry Dabba",[1] is a minivan manufactured by Pak Suzuki Motors, part of the Seventh Generation Suzuki Carry series. Pak Suzuki initied the production in 1983 and discontinued in 2024.[2]
| Suzuki Bolan | |
|---|---|
 A 7th Generation Suzuki Carry sold and produced as the Suzuki Bolan in Pakistan, a 1st generation Bolan. | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Pak Suzuki Motors |
| Production | 1983–2024 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Minivan/Light commercial vehicle |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Suzuki Every |
Specifications
editThe engine of the Suzuki Bolan is based on the ST90V version of the Suzuki Carry (also known as Hi-Roof) with the three-cylinder F8B 796 CC carburettor engine with an output of 37 hp (28 kW). The 4-speed manual transmission allows for a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph). As of February 2024, it is available in three versions: The Euro II, VX and VXR. The better-equipped VXR and Euro II have factory-fitted air conditioning.[3][4][5]
Usage
editThe Bolan is widely used as an ambulance all over Pakistan. The Bolan is particularly used as a taxi in Abbottabad, Havelian, Haripur, Mansehra and in northern sides of Pakistan, alongside usage with the Suzuki Mehran across all of Pakistan.[6][7][8]
Sales
editThe Suzuki Bolan has sold 199,052 units from 2007-2017, with a price averaging between Rs. 1,075,000 To 1,134,000 ($3,863.80-4,075.86) with an additional 21,738 units sold in 2018.[9] of the Euro II version.[10][11]
Sales by year
edit| Year | Units Sold[12] |
|---|---|
| 1 June 2007 | 10,451 |
| 1 June 2008 |  15,566
|
| 1 June 2009 | 17,209
|
| 1 June 2010 |  8,664
|
| 1 June 2011 | 11,439
|
| 1 June 2012 | 13,311
|
| 1 June 2013 | 22,540
|
| 1 June 2014 | 12,941
|
| 1 June 2015 | 14,088
|
| 1 June 2016 | 23,582
|
| 1 June 2017 | 19,245
|
| 1 June 2018 | 21,738
|
Suzuki Ravi
editThe Suzuki Ravi is a pickup truck version of the Suzuki Bolan usually used for and advertised for business, often to transport low-level goods across multiple shops. It also transports livestock like Goats (such as local Beetal Goats) and Sheep in rural areas. The Suzuki Ravi has a dimension of 127.3 inches (3.23 m) by 54.9 inches (1.39 m) by 65 inches (1.7 m), and its seating capacity is 2 people, with a maximum loading capacity of 600 kilograms (1,300 lb). three-cylinder F8B Engine with a 796 CC carburettor engine with an output of 37 HP(27.5 kW) at 5000 RPM. Like the Bolan, its 4-speed manual transmission allows for a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph).[13]
The Ravi, like the Bolan, also has 3 models:
- Suzuki Ravi VX - The Base Car Lacking most common features
- Suzuki Ravi VXR - Slightly Upgraded from the VX
- Suzuki Ravi Euro II - Built to abide the European emission standards
Rumours on discontinuation
editEver since 2021, rumours on the discontinuation have been uncovered, which are due to the Engineering Development Board of Pakistan ruling that all cars must have airbags or they will be forced to discontinue.[14] However, it was speculated that Suzuki has no plans to update Bolans with airbags, leading to speculation the Bolan might be replaced with the Suzuki Every.[15] By the end of 2021, which was the deadline given, companies got a waiver till the middle of 2023, though that deadline has also since passed, The EDB has stated “... airbags will be compulsory in every car by mid-2024, and vehicles without them will be discontinued,”[16]
Models
edit- Suzuki Bolan (Passenger van)
- Suzuki Bolan - Euro II
- Suzuki Bolan - VXR
- Suzuki Bolan - VX[17]
- Suzuki Ravi (pick-up truck)
- Suzuki Ravi - Euro II
- Suzuki Ravi - VXR
- Suzuki Ravi - VX[18]
See also
edit- Pak Suzuki Motors - Manufacturer of both the Ravi and Bolan[19]
- Suzuki Mehran - Discontinued car with the same relevance in Pakistan as the Bolan.[20]
- Suzuki Motor Corporation - Shareholders that hold 75% of Pak Suzuki Motors.
References
edit- ^ "Suzuki Bolan Price in Pakistan, Images, Reviews & Specs".
- ^ Ali, Sulman (2024-09-19). "Farewell – Pak Suzuki Officially Ends Production of Suzuki Bolan". PakWheels.
- ^ "Suzuki Bolan (Pak Wheels)". Pak Wheels.
- ^ "Suzuki Bolan (Suzuki Pakistan)" (PDF). Suzuki Pakistan. 20 April 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
- ^ "Suzuki Ravi (Suzuki Pakistan)" (PDF). Suzuki Pakistan. 20 April 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
- ^ https://www.marks.pk/ambulance-fabrication/suzuki-bolan-ambulance/%7C Marks.pk - Ambulances
- ^ https://edhi.org/ambulance-service/%7C Edhi Foundation - Ambulance service
- ^ https://rescue.gov.pk/Introduction.aspx%7C Rescue 1122
- ^ https://www.dawn.com/news/1472970%7C DAWN - Pak Suzuki Rases its Prices Again
- ^ https://www.suzukipremier.com/suzuki-bolan/%7C Suzuki Premier - Suzuki Bolan
- ^ "Pakistan Motor Vehicle Sales: Car: Suzuki Bolan | Economic Indicators | CEIC". www.ceicdata.com.
- ^ https://www.ceicdata.com/en/pakistan/motor-vehicle-sales-annual/motor-vehicle-sales-car-suzuki-bolan%7CCeic Data - Sales of the Suzuki Bolan
- ^ https://suzukipakistan.com/media/Brochure%20Automobile/Ravi%20Flyer%20Apr%2022.pdf%7C Suzuki Pakistan - Ravi
- ^ https://www.jasic.org/meeting_docs_admin/contents/uploads/doc/meeting2/4-12%20Pak%20WP%20-29%20%20Pres%20241122.pdf%7CJasic.org WP-29 Safty Regulations[dead link]
- ^ https://www.pakwheels.com/blog/why-suzuki-bolan-will-be-discontinued-actually/%7C Pak Wheels - Will the Bolan be Discontinued? (defunct link)
- ^ https://www.pakwheels.com/blog/why-suzuki-bolan-will-be-discontinued-actually/%7C Pak Wheels - Why the bolan will be discontinued
- ^ https://suzukipakistan.com/media/Brochure%20Automobile/Bolan%20Flyer%20Apr%2022.pdf%7C Suzuki Pakistan - Bolan
- ^ https://suzukipakistan.com/media/Brochure%20Automobile/Ravi%20Flyer%20Apr%2022.pdf%7C Suzuki Pakistan - Ravi
- ^ "Suzuki considers turning out vehicles in Pakistan". Nihon Keizai Shimbun. Tokyo: 7. 7 October 1980.
- ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20200120190358/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1910715/2-pak-suzuki-launches-valentines-day-special-mehran-vx/%7C Suzuki Pakistan Launches Limited Edition VX mehran